Paran

AI summary: Paran is one of the key wilderness names in the Pentateuch and the southern narratives. It forms part of the broad desert landscape in which Israel camps, journeys, sends spies, and experiences prolonged testing. It also appears in the earlier story of Ishmael and later in connection with David's movements, giving it a wider narrative range than some wilderness names. The cross references present Paran as a major southern wilderness region of survival, journey, and decision.¹

Abounding in foliage, or abounding in caverns, (Gen. 21:21), a desert tract forming the north-eastern division of the peninsula of Sinai, lying between the ‘Arabah on the east and the wilderness of Shur on the west. It is intersected in a north-western direction by the Wady el-‘Arish. It bears the modern name of Badiet et-Tih, i.e., “the desert of the wanderings.” This district, through which the children of Israel wandered, lay three days’ march from Sinai (Num. 10:12, 33). From Kadesh, in this wilderness, spies (q.v.) were sent to spy the land (13:3, 26). Here, long afterwards, David found refuge from Saul (1 Sam. 25:1, 4). ³